Improved camp-chest



UNITED STATES trices artnr FREDERICK GRAVES, OF AVOOA, ASSIGNOR IO IIIMSELF AND OHAS. G. ROBERTS, OF GREENE, NE7 YORK.

IMPROVED CAM P-CH EST.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. $41,578, dated October 4, 1864.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK GRAVES, of Avocat, in the county of Steuben and State of New York, have invented a new and use ful Improvement in Combined (lamp-Chest, Vardrobe, Seat, Lounge, Table, &c.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specifica-tion.

Figure Vl is a perspective view of my improved combined arrangement in its most compact form for transportation 5 Fig. 2, a vertical section of the same arran ged as a seat and writing or dining table; Fig. 3, a view representing the manner of jointin g the folding seat to the frame; Fig. 4, a view of the folding seat and lounge detached and folded together in its most compact shape; Fig. 5, a View of one of the adjusting straps detached. Fig. 6 shows a view of the frame used in attaching additional beds or seats. Fig. 7 shows a connecting-bar used in making the extension.

Likeletters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention is intended more particularly for soldiers and officers use in the army. The object is to combine in a single device such conveniences as are essential or desirable in camp-life, and in such a manner as to be in the most compact shape for transportation. Y

The device is in the form of a box, A, preferably of square shape, the body of which is divided into two compartments, B and C, Fig. 2, situated one above the other, and divided by a horizontal partition, a. In the lower compartment slides an ordinary drawer, and, if desirable, one may be also used in the upper compartment, though it is not represented thus in the. drawings. The lower compartment answers for a wardrobe, in which is packed clothing, and also stationery and such other articles as convenient. The upper compartment serves as a receptacle for dishes and cooking utensils-such as frying-pan, coieecups, plates, spoons, knives and forks, cas ter, &c.-and also necessary tools-such as hatchet, saw, chisel, and hammer.

From the corners ofthe box proper project, respectively, short standards b b, supporting on two opposite sides rigid bars D D, substantially of the shape and arrangement indicated in Fig. l. With each of these bars is' connected a horizontal slide, E, of similar length, and resting on suitable guides, c c, which hold it closely to the bar, but allow it to move freely. rIhe end of the slide may be provided with a knob, to be easily operated. These slides when drawn out (in the position indicated in Fig. 2) form extension-supports for a table-leaf, G, which may be used either for writing or dining.

In the drawings but a single slide connected with each. bar is represented, sliding only in one direction; but it is manifest that two or more may be connected with each, if desired, and sliding in opposite directions, thus forming a complete extensiontable with the support in the middle. In either case the principle is the same, the single slides answering all ordinary purposes.

On that side of the box opposite the motion of the slides in being extended, at a suitable height, is jointed or hinged to the standards bb a seat and lounge-frame composed of three sections, H I K, secured together by means of suitable hinges, so that they may be folded up compactly, as represented at d d. The joint by which the frame is secured to the standards is composed of a screw-bolt, f, Fig. 3, passing through the standard, and also through the end of the section H, with a washer, g, interposed, and having a thu1nbnut,h,on the end of the screw-bolt. rIhus arranged, the central section, I, always rests on the top of the box, while the section H folds over it and the section K under it compactly, as indicated in Fig. 4.

The lounge-frame is covered by a continuous piece of oil-cloth, i, or its equivalent, and, if desirable, it may be slightly stuffed.

To the sides ofthe end sections, H K, at a suitable position are secured straps 7c la, of leather or equivalent material, of sufficient length to reach and loop over knobs or buttons l l on the bars D D at all positions which the sections of the lounge may assume when they are extended. Therefore, the straps are provided with adjusting-holes, m m, Fig. 5.

When the sections are extended, the central one is sustained in the proper place by means ot' buttons p p, situated on opposite sides of the box, which turn under it.

By this arrangement it will be seen that the sections forming the seat and lounge can be folded up most compactly, as in Figs. l and 4L, so as to cover the area of only one section, directly over the box proper, between the standards, and of but little thickness, a form very convenient for transportation, as there are no projecting' parts. Ur they can be unfolded into the formindicated by the black lines in Fig. 2, forming a luxurious easy chair, with the back adjustable to any angle to suit the sitter by means of the straps. In thisposition the bars D D form convenient arms to the chair. Or, by adj usting the straps still further, they can be formed into a lounge or `bed, as indicated by red lines in the same ligure, with any degree ot' inclination. These various adjustments are so universal as to be of the greatest convenience, as almost any position may be attained. Then used as a lounge or bed, the niain weight ofthe person rests on the central section, so that there is no danger of oveturning.

When the sections are arranged as a chair, the slides E E and table-leaf Gr form a convenient Writing-table directly in front of the sitter, and which may be adj usted at a less or greater distance from him, as may be desirable. 0r, in the same relation, it may be used as a dining-table Where there is but a single sitter. By folding the sections ofthe lounge not only the slides E E, but also the Whole top of the box, may be used as a support for the tableleaves, thus forming an extension-table of suliicient capacity to accommodate a number of persons.

l am aware that various portable arrangement-s for camp use have before been employed, but dii'ering from mine in construction and ar 1angement, and not aecomplishin g the same nor an equal number of combinations.

My device is applicable to many different uses, viZ.-a camp-chest containing all necessary cooking utensils and tools, a wardrobe,

chair, lounge, bed, Writing and dining table, and extension-table, the Whole being included in a space of two feet square, and when fully furnished weighing only about seventy-live pounds.

Then compacted for transportation, as in Fig. l, the lounge-sections are rst folded and the tableleaves are then placed on top of them, being bound in place by means of suitable straps or cords, which may conveniently be the adjusting-straps used on the lounge.

lVhen thus arranged, the parts are all fast and do not project beyond the boundary ot' the box. In loading into Wagons, the bars D .D are of great convenience in handling.

Additional lounges or beds may be attached to one or to both sides of the chest by having sockets u n n on the outsides of the posts, into which bars L L may be coupled, they connecting' it with a frame, M M, of the same dimensions as the sides of the chest, the loungeframe used on the additional wings being of the same dimensions and constructed to fold up in the same manner as shown in Fig. 4. There may be a fall or leat', N, hinged to the frame, so as to set up and form a convenient table and close down compactly on its side, the Whole being secured to the chest so as to give it solidity when spread out for any ofthe various purposes for which it is designed, and the Whole structure is folded up and condensed into a small compass and secured to the'chest for transportation.

Wlhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

rlhe special construction herein described, consisting, essentially, of the box A, provided with the compartments B (l, folding chair and lounge sections H I K, adjusted by the straps k lc, or equivalent bars D D, extensionslides E E, and table-leaf G, the Whole arranged, combined, and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

FREDERICK GRAVES. Titnesses J. B. WOODRUFF, (1G. oBER'rs. 

